Violet is a cowgirl, working on a ranch and starting her career as a jockey. She grew up with her dad and brothers, that were so overbearingly protective that she needed to move away and discover herself. As a way of celebrating her freedom, she posts a nude of herself on a website and a mysterious man replies. She responds to him and they actually form a friendship, that is until Violet wants more and he rejects her. She deletes the app, and thinks that she will never speak to him again. A year later, she had just won her first race when she comes face to face with Cole. When she realizes who he is, the mysterious man from the app, she does her best to avoid him until an injury forces her to become his roommate. Cole doesn’t let anyone in, he suffers from PTSD and has closed himself off to the world. He never for a second forgot his conversations with Violet. When he sees her again, he wants to let Violet know him. Will Violet be able to break down the walls?

I have to admit that this is the first book that I have read by Elsie Silver and it definitely won’t be the last. This book was funny, sweet, and spicy! Cole is dark and broody, protective and really sexy! I really enjoyed this book. It’s the second in the series so I will definitely go back and read the first! Elsie's books have been on my list for song long, I know there are so many good books! Thank you so much Elsie Silver, NetGalley, and Bloom Books for the opportunity to read and love this book!

I know Chesnut Springs is why Elsie Silver got famous, but this series is my favorite from her. I love both books I've read so far and I can't wait to finish the series! Getting Violet's book after reading most of her brother's book already was a treat and I loved her story so much! Violet is going through a rough spot and that is why she relates so much to Cole as they start to spend time together after their past heartbreak. Cole is going through PTSD and is a loner, who isn't really into being around people.

I love these two, their history as they figure out how much their lives have been intertwined and so much more. I also love that therapy is at the forefront of this story, reminding people that we don't have to be at our best to find love. This book shows just how well Elsie Silver has been writing since her beginning and I can't wait to finish the series!

I love everything Elsie silver writes. It was so fun to get violets story after meeting her in Heartless. I loved the grumpy, brooding hero. I also loved that Violet had a non traditional female job.

Cole is a growly, very stuck in his ways, anti-social 36-year-old who has just moved back to the family ranch to fix up a recently acquired company. He is closed off in his interactions with family and he had no friends. Violet has been in his life for the past two years but not in a conventional sense. He has seen every inch of her body but has never officially met her in person. When Violet finds that she is unexpectedly forced to co-exist with Cole, she pushes him to become the better version of himself and learn to better deal with his PTSD. Violet is very therapeutic for Cole and their relationship may have started as an enemy to lovers, it turns into one of healing, trust, and long-awaited lust and love.
This story comes with a few triggers so check those before reading as this story deals with PTSD, mental health, and military experiences. Elsie Silver beautifully elicits all kinds of feelings through her stories, and she makes the reader fall in love with the characters. I mean, how do you go from thinking someone is the biggest jerk ever to loving everything about them?!? This story is told in the perspectives of Cole and Violet and it’s fantastically written. The TENSION build-ups throughout this book killed me but when things happened, they happened! Violet embraces Cole’s flaws, and you see and feel the growth between both of them throughout the book. I found myself re-reading some of Cole’s commentary throughout the book because a few sentences just felt so good and gave me goosebumps, particularly Cole’s chat string to Violet that he continued to use as a diary. I can’t tell you how much I swooned throughout this book. My only negative with this book is that I felt that it was repetitive at times but despite that, I still couldn’t put the book down. While this book could be read as a standalone, it’s best to read it as part of the Gold Rush Ranch series as there is definitely overlap into Billie and Vaughn’s story and the beginning of this book picks up RIGHT where Off to the Races finishes which I love.
Thank you NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, and Elsie Silver for allowing me the opportunity to provide my honest opinion on this advance reader copy.

“You look at me like we’re inevitable."
•

two years ago Violet Eaton decided to do something outside of her comfort zone and post a risqué photo on a sexy chat app. she didn’t expect to be solicited by a faceless man. and while she immediately knows she won’t give him what he’s asking for, she does decide she can be his friend. they develop a deep connection and talk every day for a year. but when she asks to take it further and he refuses, Violet cuts her losses, deletes the app, and puts him in her past…or so she thinks.

that’s why Violet is shocked when she discovers her online pen pal is also her the boss of her boss. equally shocked is Cole Harding, the man who found a friend when he wasn’t looking and isn’t willing to come out of the shadows to enjoy the potential they have.

they spend the next year avoiding each other, but fate has different plans including temporary roommates and forced proximity. what happens when the very person you’ve been trying to run from now sleeps in the same house as you?

•

this and that:
♡ age gap
♡ amputee rep
♡ dual pov
♡ flashbacks
♡ forced proximity
♡ grumpy sunshine
♡ healing
♡ horse racing
♡ horse stall shenanigans
♡ online sexy chat apps
♡ open door spice
♡ roommates
♡ small town
♡ therapy
♡ touch her and die
♡ veteran
•

triggers:
☞ anxiety
☞ death during labor (mentioned, off page)
☞ injuries sustained in the line of duty
☞ PTSD
☞ sexual harassment

Elsie Silver writes so beautifully! As someone who read her second series first-the series about the Eaton brothers-, I’ve been wanting to read Violet Eaton’s story for quite some time! I absolutely loved every moment of this book. I loved the concept-definitely original and witty and everything I look for in a great read. Cole is so real and raw and you can’t help but love him and want to help ease his anxieties. Violet is so sweet and vibrant! You feel her joy as she ride while you read.

Thank you so much for the ARC for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this novel and it's characters. I quickly got sucked into the story and the interesting way the past and present are woven. I'm not a huge fan of what was pretty graphic sex scenes, but they were not the majority of the book. If you dislike that though (and pretty coarse talk) this may not be for you. I enjoyed watching the characters evolve.

This was my first read by Elsie and it was really fun! I found it entertaining and spicy, which is exactly what I wanted from a romance read. The characters had some complex backgrounds and the jumps from past to present kept things intriguing and mysterious. I would definitely read another of her books!

love love love anything by this author. Another great book with a perfect storyline and just enough spice to keep you engaged the whole book. I enjoyed seeing previous characters and loved meeting the new ones as well. Thanks so much for letting me ARC!

5 stars

I don't know if there is anything better than how romance novels constantly show how beneficial therapy can be. This was such a wonderful novel. I read the Chestnut Spring series previously so coming back to her earlier series and seeing Violet's story with little glimpses of her family was such a treat. I loved this, I felt there is no doubt the Cole and Violet would stay together for the long haul because of the work they did on themselves both separately and together. Also the age gap was so inconsequential and never felt icky (if both characters are over 25, I'm usually fine with it anyhow). I have yet to be even slightly disappointed in Elsie's work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

4.25⭐️

I’ve already read (and loved) the chestnut springs series and this gave the same addicting & thrilling feeling I got when I read it! I’m kicking myself for not reading it sooner. Elsie Silver is a genius in her writing and I couldn’t put this book down even if I wanted to!! a grumpy x sunshine (‼️), small town romance with a delicious slow burn and sort’ve a second chance re-kindling 👀

Violet Eaton has a secret past that only one man was privy to. She left that life, and man, in the past hoping she’d never find out his identity. She’s crushing it at her job at Gold Rush Ranch, she’s made friends, and has now won her first race as a jockey. She’s on a high, until Cole Harding, her boss’ boss, introduces himself and discloses how he knows her. Fast forward to a year later when the very same man is moving back to Ruby Creek and inevitably back in her life. Lines are crossed, tensions are high, and Violet and Cole wonder if they can ever heal their pasts to get to the future they want.

Cole is a man with many layers where you have to chip away at his hard exterior to get to his soft centre. I loved how protective he was of Violet and even when he “didn’t want her around” he was still helping her. Violet is my favourite type of fmc: fierce, kind-hearted, stubborn, and strong. The forced proximity and tension in this book was next-level! this is a heavier book dealing with topics of PTSD and I think the author does a great job with representing it.

If you loved the chestnut springs series, or any small-town romance, absolutely check out this series you will not regret it!!

Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Bloom Books, and Elsie Silver for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! the traditionally published versions of this book releases July 23rd 💘

A Photo Finish

This. Book.

I loved this even more than Off to the Races if you could even believe it. This just had it all and then some — I legitimately didn’t want it to end!! I stayed up until 4am the first night at 2am the second -- I just couldn't put it down!

☀️Grumpy vs Sunshine
☀️Small Town
☀️Slow Burn with delicious tension
☀️Touch her and ☠️
☀️Over coming past trauma
☀️Second Chance
☀️Cam Girl
☀️Forced Proximity
☀️Nursing back to health
☀️SPICE

Ughhhhh I want more!! It technically comes out tomorrow (July 23rd) but I called my local B&N and they had it in store so I snagged it because I needed it so badly!!

I cannot recommend this book enough!

Happy reading my friends!

Xo
Emily

#photofinish #elsiesilver #cowboyromance #militaryromance #touchheranddie #horseracing #grumpysunshine #smalltownromance #secondchance #forcedproximity #romcombooks #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookreview

I havent read many Elsie Silver books, but this one is so good!

I really enjoyed the mystery of Cole and Violet's relationship. The banter between the characters was perfect. This book had me going from the beginning! I love the dual POV books, I feel like they are more interesting to read. I loved the new cover on this series and it really made me interested in reading the book, unfortunately I am a judge a book by the cover kind of person :)

This was a wonderfully written small town romance with forced proximity, slow burn, grumpy sunshine, secret identity and so much more! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

A Photo Finish is the second in Elsie Silver's Gold Rush Ranch series. I had not read the first book in the series but I had no trouble jumping right in.

Although this was not my favorite romance- Cowboy romances are hit or miss for me, this book has some definite strengths. I really loved that our FMC Violet was the cowboy in this romance! That was a flip for me and I really appreciated that female representation. The MMC is navigating through PTSD and some of my favorite parts of this book is seeing how that has affected him and how he is navigating his mental health. Also, big bonus for the simple fact that we see a man going to therapy. Also a plus for me.

This is a fast read and the spice packs a punch!

I would recommend to readers that enjoy a spicy cowboy romance or even readers that appreciate mental health representation in their romances.

Thank you so much to Bloom Books and Netgalley for this eARC.

I enjoyed this one! A PHOTO FINISH is heavier than the last (and only other) Elsie Silver book I read, but it had moments of fun and sweetness as well. Our main character is a new race horse jockey who had an internet relationship with the love interest a few years ago that didn't end well, but now they're forced to spend time together when he shows up at her ranch and is her boss's brother. He's ex-military, goes to therapy, and has PTSD from a traumatic childhood incident. She's the sunshine to his grumpy and their relationship progresses over the course of the book. I've read a couple books now about internet relationships where one party chooses to stay anonymous and neither time did it really sit right with me because it's made to be attractive whereas I think in real life, it would be catfishy and potentially the end of the relationship. That part of the book--which admittedly is a big plot-mover, since it's literally how they met--wasn't my favorite, but overall I enjoyed this!

Thank you to Elsie Silver and Bloombooks via NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Calling all horse girls: we’ve got a good romance on our hands! I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought the author did a great job dealing with PTSD, disability, mental health in general, and the complications of romance. I loved the setting and that the plot revolves around horses. The female lead is a jockey! What more could a horse girl like me want from a romance book?

This is the first book I’ve read in the Ruby Creek series, even though it’s the second installment. I didn’t have any trouble getting into the world or understanding character dynamics. I’m excited to pick up the first one in the series and also continue with the third book too!

I love a full-circle, second chance romance. Golddigger85 and Pretty in Purple made me smile, all the way to the end! Pip was a character too, and I'm not a horse person. Can't wait to read more from this author!

I enjoyed this book! It was honestly so much more than I was expecting. It is not my favorite that I’ve read by Elsie but I would definitely still recommend it! I really loved Cole’s mental health journey. It is not too often that you read a book where the mmc struggles with mental health so it was incredibly refreshing to read about his journey and actively see Cole work through things that have been holding him stagnant for years. It was equally as refreshing to see how Violet handled situations and how she also grew as a person.

Here are some tropes you can expect :)

- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Small Town
- Second Chance
- Age Gap
- Forced Proximity

Thank you NetGalley + Bloom Books for a copy of this ARC! 😊

I was expecting a cute, fluffy book just like the first one. However, this was so much more.

This hit me right in the feels; it broke my heart and put me back together. We didn’t just get the sweet feelings, we got real issues, struggles, angst and two characters who loved each other so much they went through hell and back to end up together.

If this wasn’t dual POV, I wouldn’t have liked Cole as much as I did because if you’re looking at him from just an outside perspective you won’t get to see all the hurt, self hate and struggles. Violet never gave up on Cole even when he did himself.

Violet, I mean she’s an Eaton, of course I’m going to fucking adore her immediately.

Also the mental health rep here was amazing to see.

All this to say, I loved this book.

Welcome to Gold Rush Ranch, where the horses are fierce and loyal – but not as much as their riders.

I’m new to Elsie Silver’s romance novels, but so far am loving her no-nonsense female main characters featured in the beginning of this series.

I enjoyed A Photo Finish a lot more than Off to the Races (this one was just as steamy, but in many ways a slower burn due to the dual timeline).

Here, Silver tells the story of Cole and Violet using “now” narrative and “then” flashbacks that reveal how these two have always ended up in the same orbit.

Both Violet and Cole explore what it means to be vulnerable and trust someone with their hearts and the things that they want (or the things they are too scared to want). But, Silver’s take on this is refreshing and A Photo Finish doesn’t feel like every other romance novel.

Tropes:
- Forced Proximity
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Second chance romance
- Dual POV
- Spice for days
- Mental health rep (PTSD, grief)

I read this in less than a day and can’t wait to continue with this series. Thank you to Sourcebooks/Bloom and NetGalley for the eARC of this work. The new covers for this series are absolutely stunning and I can't wait to see this one hit the shelves in July.